Authority: High Court of Odisha, Cuttack

Order Date: 18 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Petition: W.P.(C) No.12449 of 2026, CNR No. ODHC010288212026, filed by Odisha Power Transmission Engineers Association (OPTRA) and others (petitioners) against Odisha Power Transmission corporation Ltd. (OPTCL) and others (opposite parties).
  • Prayer: Admit petition, call for records, issue rule nisi, quash Office No.AW‑GE‑VI‑03/2022‑4324 dated 16 Mar 2026 (Annexure‑7), quash amendment order dated 17 Jun 2026 (Annexure‑9), direct promotion from E‑8 to E‑9 grade under Regulation 12 of GRIDCO Officers Service Regulations, and any other appropriate relief.
  • Interim order dated 06 May 2026 directed opposite parties not to act on the 16 Mar 2026 office order.
  • Amendment order dated 17 Jun 2026 attempted to amend Regulation‑3(2) of the GRIDCO Officers Service Regulations, 1997 without complying with the proviso to that regulation.
  • On 10 Sep 2026 the Court ordered OPTCL to produce documents showing compliance with the proviso to Regulation‑3(2).
  • OPTCL produced minutes of a meeting held on 16 Feb 2026, claiming that the meeting satisfied the compliance requirement.
  • Petitioners argued that the meeting pre‑dated the impugned 16 Mar 2026 office order and therefore could not constitute compliance.
  • The matter was taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical) Mode; additional affidavit was kept in record; the interim order of 06 May 2026 was to continue till the next date.

Final Outcome

  • The Court held that the decision of 16 Feb 2026 cannot be considered compliance because it preceded the impugned office order of 16 Mar 2026.
  • Consequently, the amendment made by office order dated 17 Jun 2026 (Annexure‑9) was made without compliance with the proviso to Regulation‑3(2) and is unlawful.
  • The Court quashed both the office order dated 16 Mar 2026 (Annexure‑7) and the amendment order dated 17 Jun 2026 (Annexure‑9).
  • The writ petition stands disposed of; the interim order of 06 May 2026 is vacated.
  • OPTCL is permitted to make a necessary amendment, if it so desires, in accordance with the proper procedure under Regulation‑3(2).

Topics: Legal; Regulatory Compliance